Structure of differed Marandu palisade grass with variables nitrogen doses and heights

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of height (15 and 30 cm)and nitrogen dose (N, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1) at the beginning of thestockpiling period on the structural characteristics of the Urochloabrizantha cv. Marandu (Marandu palisade grass) during winter. Thefalling index of the plant did not vary with the factors under scrutiny(P>0,10). The number of basal tillers was higher (P<0,10) in the 15-cmdeferred canopy than in the 30-cm canopy only when the highest N dosewas used. Under conditions of application of 0 or 80 kg ha-1 of N, the 30-cmstockpiled canopies showed a higher (P<0,10) forage mass than the 15-cmones. Associated with reduced canopy height at the beginning ofstockpiling period, nitrogen fertilization improves the morphologicalcomposition of Marandu palisade grass. To maximize the forage mass inthe dry season, the canopies of Marandu palisade grass can be deferredeither at 15 cm (fertilized with about 100 kg ha-1 of N) or at 30 cm (with nonitrogen fertilization) at the beginning of the stockpiling period.